What is Euthanasia?

Euthanasia is the deliberate killing of someone by action or omission, with our without that person's consent, for what are claimed to be compassionate reasons.

Assisted Suicide is counseling, abetting, or an act of aiding someone to kill himself or herself.

Hospice/Palliative Care is the active total care of patients whose prognosis is limited due to progressive, far-advanced disease; its purpose is to alleviate pain and other distressing symptoms and to enhance the quality of life, not to postpone or hasten death. (World Health Organization)

The present law in Canada does not distinguish between euthanasia, and other forms of murder. The key consideration is the intention to cause death. Consent or motive - even one of compassion - does not change the reality of killing a human being.

Assisted Suicide erodes our respect for human life and establishes killing as an acceptable solution to problems that are best solved through caring solutions.

Concerns

There is a growing tendency to promote "mercy killing" as a solution to suffering, pain, aging, mental or physical challenges, social ills, rising health costs and cost containment.

Sanctioning of euthanasia and assisted suicide (as in the Netherlands) has led to increased use of euthanasia without consent, circumvention of the law, and abuse of the vulnerable.

Advances in hospice/palliative care and pain management methods are threatened when euthanasia and assisted suicide are sanctioned as a means of relieving pain and suffering.

The medical profession needs more instruction and the public needs more education, regarding hospice/palliative care and effective pain control.

Depression is the most common factor in requests for assisted suicide. Depression can be diagnosed and treated successfully. Requests for assisted suicide are often a call for help.

Further Information

Click here for a printable article about euthanasia and assisted suicide